STARability Foundation is proud to announce that it was recently named one of Florida’s “Best Companies To Work For” by Florida Trend magazine. The annual list featured in the August issue ranks 100 companies in small, medium and large employer categories. Dedicated to providing support and creating inclusive opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, STARability ranked 22nd in the small business category and was one of only two Naples-based companies to make the list.

“Being named a ‘Best Company to Work For’ in Florida is an incredible honor,” said Karen Govern, CEO of STARability Foundation. “To be acknowledged as a pioneer and trendsetter that stands out from the competition is truly rewarding. This recognition reflects the tireless work, dedication and compassion of our entire team, who strive to create life-transforming and supportive experiences for our participants each and every day. By prioritizing the well-being of our staff, we are proud to have built an environment where everyone can thrive and have a positive impact in our community.”

To participate, companies or government entities were required to have at least 15 workers in Florida and to be in operation at least one year. Companies that chose to participate underwent an evaluation of their workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. The process also included a survey to measure employee satisfaction. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking.

Innovative in their thinking, inspirational in their actions and visionaries in their industries – these companies recruit, retain and deliver unique workplace environments and employee benefits to keep their staff engaged, involved and continuing to collaborate. These companies are far from risk-averse and provide a glimpse into future workforce and workplace environments.

“In today’s hyper-competitive labor market, it takes more than good salaries and benefits to attract and keep talent,” says Florida Trend Executive Editor Amy Keller. “Looking under the hood, we see that the ‘Best Companies To Work For’ in Florida maintain an edge by prioritizing culture and creating environments where employees are engaged, feel valued and can grow. They also strive to balance employee needs with business priorities, baking flexibility and fun into the workplace. Their examples provide a terrific blueprint for companies seeking to stand out from the pack.”

The “Best Companies To Work For In Florida” program is managed by Florida Trend and Workforce Research Group and is endorsed by the HR Florida State Council. Workforce Research Group managed the registration, survey and analysis and determined the final rankings. For a list of the 100 “Best Companies To Work For In Florida,” go to FloridaTrend.com/BestCompanies.

STARability offers a variety of innovative, results-driven programs designed to accommodate the needs of each unique participant through teaching life skills, providing vocational training and building an inclusive community where participants have the opportunity to connect through meaningful and fulfilling social experiences.

To learn more about STARability’s life-transforming programs, visit STARability.org.

About STARability Foundation

For four decades, STARability Foundation has been shining a light on abilities. Formed by a small community of caring parents, STARability has become one of Southwest Florida’s leading nonprofits. Today, the organization is opening a world of possibilities for hundreds of individuals ages 14 and older by offering a variety of inclusive programs focused on vocational training, continuing education, teamwork, social engagement and community involvement. Their compassionate team supports people with disabilities by providing life-transforming opportunities that emphasize teamwork and a connection to the community while strengthening awareness and respect for individual abilities. To learn more about the services and program offerings available, please visit STARability.org.

About Florida Trend 

Florida Trend business magazine is read by 270,000 influential business executives, civic leaders and government officials each month. Its award-winning reporting covers regional and statewide business news, industry executives and the business sectors they represent, as well as information on Florida's lifestyle, arts and culture scene. FloridaTrend.com offers eNews alerts, covering daily morning and afternoon breaking news; Business Beat, a weekly video newscast highlighting Florida’s top business news stories; and weekly eNewsletters providing information, insight and details on Florida's growing industry sectors including health care, education, real estate, small business and movers and influencers. FloridaTrend.com attracts nearly a million pageviews and over 140,000 unique visitors each month.

About Workforce Research Group

Workforce Research Group works with partners worldwide to establish and manage “Best Places to Work,” “Best Companies” and “Best Employers” programs. Through its thorough workplace assessment, utilizing employer questionnaires and employee-satisfaction surveys, WRG identifies and recognizes companies that have been successful in creating and maintaining workplace excellence. For more information, visit WorkforceRG.com.